’Jacket boys reign supreme

May 19, 2014

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Aaron Leo made Williamstown tennis history here Saturday at the state tournament and the Yellowjackets ended Charleston Catholic's eight-year domination in Class AA/A by topping the Irish, 16-13.

The championship was the second in school history. The only other time the 'Jackets won was back in 1995 when head coach Jay Carter was in his first year.

Leo (24-0) finished the first perfect campaign for WHS when he dominated the No. 2 singles final against Charleston Catholic's Andrew Jones by scores of 6-1 and 6-3.

Fellow senior teammate Luke Flanagan, who like Leo is a two-time all-stater, suffered a 6-3, 6-1 loss at No. 1 singles to Huntington St. Joe's Max Meade. However, the seniors combined to win the No. 1 doubles titles thanks to a 6-4 and 6-2 triumph versus Scott's duo of Caleb Starkey and Blake Chambers. "My number one and two dogs. Luke Flanagan and Aaron. They just did a great job this season," Carter said. "They were that backbone. When you go 20-4 (Flanagan) and 24-0, that's really good.

"Then seeing Aaron's little brother (junior) Ryan and my No. 4 guy Muhammad (Kingson), they just fed into it and raised their level of play. I'm really, really happy for them and it's really truly been a great season." The elder Leo said "it's a great way to end my high school career. It's long overdue. Hard work is what it's been. We were just trying to get it done for this year. "After I walked off my championship match when I won he (Carter) told me and I was just in awe. It's amazing. It's an amazing feat that no one has ever done before, but it definitely feels good to have that opportunity."

The opportunity was in front of WHS last spring, but the Yellowjackets had to head back to Wood County with a state runner-up trophy. That wasn't going to be the case this time around.

"It's surreal," admitted Flanagan, who will play at West Liberty while Aaron Leo heads to Fairmont State. "We've been training for this from freshman year until now. This is what our goal has been since day one of freshman year.

"We wanted to win a state championship for the school and just show what the Williamstown tennis program has to offer and we did. Last year we almost had it. It (doubles title) feels great. Aaron's as awesome partner and I wouldn't trade him for the world."

Ryan Leo won the No. 3 singles title thanks to a 6-0 and 6-1 victory against Tyler Zubick of the Irish. However, Ryan Leo and Kingson didn't have enough to get past Charleston Catholic's Zubick and Andrew Jones, who posted a 3-6, 6-0 and 6-2 win.

Tris Spitsnaugle lost 7-6 (7-4), 1-6 and 6-4 to Morgantown's Steven Wu at No. 2 singles. That match lasted a little more than three horus. Teammate Josh Roberts came up short in three singles to GW's Nick Koenig, 6-2 and 6-0.